Pass it Along triathlon in the offingParticipants and volunteers needed

Last year's triathlon drew young runners
Photos provided

By Laurie Gordon SPARTA — Get ready to swim, then bike, and then run — all in one fun-filled morning in the name of a fantastic cause as Pass It Along presents its Ninth Annual Pass It Along Triathlon. The event will take place on Saturday, July 28, 2018, at the Lake Mohawk Country Club in Sparta. This multi-sport endurance event features two USAT-certified courses, Olympic and Sprint. Participants must pre-register for this event, which sells out quickly and closes at 350 entries. Said event director, Eleanor Young, “The triathlon has definitely become a Lake Mohawk tradition. With the introduction of the Olympic Course last year, there are now a variety of athletes who look forward to this each and every year. Families come together to do the relay, as well as individual participants who take the challenge.”Young explained the difference between the two courses.“In the sprint course, participants swim 400m, bike 17k (10.8 miles) run 5k (3.1 miles)," she said. "The Olympic is almost double that, where participants swim 1500m, bike 34.7k (21.6 miles/2 loops) and run 10k (6.2 miles). It really offers a challenge for beginner athletes all the way to advanced athletes.”Pass It Along credits the Sparta police for helping make the event the success that it is. “The Sparta Police Department will help keep our participants safe,” Young said. “They will be working to block the course to through-traffic throughout Sparta.”This is one of Pass It Along's biggest fundraisers, and proceeds go to help keep the organization'ss programs free for all teens. Pass It Along is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, located in Sparta, whose mission is to build confident, resilient, compassionate teenagers through self-discovery, volunteerism and leadership. By participating in the Pass It Along program, teenagers gain a strong sense of self, learn about the positive effects of helping others and are equipped to avoid risky behaviors. For more information and to view all of PIA's programs, visit www.passitalong.org.“Each and every participant and sponsor play a vital role in creating confident, compassionate and resilient teenagers in our community,” Young said. This year’s presenting sponsors are Newton Medical Center and Atlantic Sports Health.Cheerers and volunteers are also needed to help the event run smoothly. Approximately fifty volunteers from the local area are needed. Volunteers will help in various areas of the event, in three to four hour shifts from 4:00 am to noon. Team volunteering is welcomed and encouraged. Families, businesses, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, sports teams and clubs may volunteer in groups of up to three. Coffee, donuts, bagels, fruit and water will be provided for all volunteers. All volunteers will also receive a volunteer tee shirt, and credit for service hours. To learn more, to register and to sign up as a volunteer, visit passitalong.org/triathlon.